Concord Band Selected for "North America's Most Prestigious Award for Community Concert Bands"

The Concord Band is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the Sudler Silver Scroll, an international recognition for community concert bands sponsored by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. We are the first band in New England to be so honored. 

In his congratulatory letter informing Music Director James O'Dell of this honor, Dr Ron Keller, chairman of the selection committee, said,

The purpose of this recognition is "to identify, recognize and honor a community band which has demonstrated particularly high standards of excellence in music presentation, and has played a significant and leading role in the cultural and musical environment in their respective community." In the opinion of the selection committee, your band certainly met or surpassed these criteria.

The John Philip Sousa Foundation is a non-profit foundation "...dedicated to the promotion of international understanding through the medium of band music. Through the administration of band related projects, the foundation seeks to uphold the standards and ideals of that icon of the American spirit, John Philip Sousa. Just as the name Sousa is synonymous with bands, so bands are bridges which connect the music and culture of all strata of our society."

Lew Buckley to Perform at Winter Concert

Guest Artist Lew Buckley
Conductor, Composer, Trumpet Soloist

Lewis J. Buckley was born in Columbus, Ohio, but considers himself a native of Florida, the state in which he grew up. He earned his undergraduate degree from the Eastman School of Music and his Master's degree from Connecticut College. While at Eastman, he earned the Performer's Certificate for outstanding performance on the trumpet, and he studied conducting and composition.

As a conductor, Buckley brings to the podium more than 35 years' professional experience in an unusually wide range of music-making. He is equally at home conducting, writing, or performing, with bands, orchestras, and choruses, in all styles of music from classical to commercial to jazz. The guest artists whom he has conducted reflect his range of experience; they include Walter Cronkite, opera giant Placido Domingo, Lorrie Morgan and Lone Star of country fame, the Motown sound of Martha Reeves, and many others.

He continues to compose, arrange, and publish prolifically, bringing to his work the knowledge earned in 40 years on the podium, and his music is widely performed. He also remains an active trumpet soloist, frequently combining solo appearances with conducting, often in premiere performances of his own commissioned works.